Cuba

Colombia's hard-right President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced on July 26, 2026, that he will sever diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua upon taking office on August 7, citing opposition to what he called 'tyrannies.' He also plans to close 15 consulates and 14 embassies in countries including Algeria, Barbados, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, Senegal, and South Africa, though he clarified this does not mean breaking diplomatic relations with those nations. The closures aim to redirect funds to security, a central theme of his 'iron fist' campaign. Additionally, De la Espriella intends to open an embassy in Jerusalem to restore ties with Israel, which were severed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro in 2024 over the Gaza offensive, and an embassy in Nigeria to reorganize Colombia's African presence.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 05:39 PM UTC

Cuban volleyball player Claudia Tarín has signed a one-season contract with Portuguese club Benfica, joining from Romanian team CSM Lugoj. The transfer was reported by Record Portugal on July 26, 2026. Tarín, referred to as 'Zone 4' in the article, will play for Benfica's women's volleyball team. The article also includes other sports news headlines, such as transfer rumors involving Julián Alvarez, Xavi Simons' injury, and other football moves, but the core story is Tarín's signing.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:36 PM UTC

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel accused the United States of pursuing a 'genocidal policy' aimed at suffocating Cuba's economy and appropriating the island. Speaking on the 73rd anniversary of the Cuban Revolution's start, he condemned Washington's intensified sanctions and oil blockade under President Donald Trump, following the U.S. military's toppling of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. The measures have caused a drastic decline in tourism, departure of foreign companies, and severe energy shortages leading to nationwide blackouts. The U.S. justifies its actions by citing Cuba's alliances with Russia and China and alleged human rights violations. Diaz-Canel called for national unity and touted recent free-market reforms, while vowing to resist any military invasion and rejecting changes to Cuba's political model.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:28 PM UTC

The United States, under the Trump administration, is implementing a 'Rose Bomber' strategy against Cuba. Amidst a severe oil blockade that is crippling Cuba's economy, Washington is now delivering humanitarian aid by plane to hundreds of thousands of Cubans. The aid flights, organized from Miami, are seen as a calculated move to both provide relief to the Cuban people and publicly humiliate the communist government by highlighting its inability to provide for its citizens. The article analyzes the multiple strategic considerations behind this new U.S. policy, which combines economic pressure with targeted humanitarian assistance to undermine the Cuban regime.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 09:32 AM UTC

A landmark retrospective of Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta at Tate Modern in London is receiving critical acclaim. The exhibition, running until 17 January, features her raw, timely works made from organic materials like blood, feathers, flowers, and sand. Mendieta, born in Cuba in 1948 and sent to the US after the revolution, explored themes of feminism, environmentalism, and anti-colonialism through painting, film, photography, performance, and sculpture. Her Silueta Series, begun in 1973, documents human silhouettes stamped into mud and reclaimed by nature. A famous video shows her pouring cow's blood over her body and lying in chicken feathers. Mendieta died in 1985 at age 36, falling from her New York apartment balcony; her husband Carl Andre was tried for murder and acquitted. The exhibition avoids making her a martyr, focusing instead on her rich visual poetry and pagan magic.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 08:00 AM UTC

In an interview with The Nation, Cuban UN Permanent Representative Ernesto Soberón Guzmán discusses the intensifying US blockade, particularly a January 2026 executive order targeting Cuba's fuel supply, which led to a nationwide blackout on July 6. He argues the blockade is a deliberate strategy to cause economic collapse and political change, citing the 1960 Mallory memorandum. Despite the siege, Cuba has announced its most significant economic opening in a decade on June 18, expanding private business and foreign investment. Soberón insists these reforms aim to secure, not abandon, the social guarantees of the revolution. He emphasizes Cuba's commitment to international law, sovereignty, and non-interference, stating that the gains of the revolution are not negotiable.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:03 PM UTC

In this episode of the Council on Foreign Relations' President's Inbox, host Jim Lindsay interviews Will Freeman, Fellow for Latin America Studies, about the Trump administration's maximum pressure policy on Cuba. Freeman describes a severe humanitarian crisis on the island, including fuel shortages, electricity blackouts, and visible starvation among the elderly. The administration is seeking regime change through secondary sanctions and a fuel blockade, cutting off Venezuelan and Mexican fuel shipments. President Trump has also threatened military invasion. Freeman notes that the crisis is worse than the post-Soviet collapse of the 1990s, with infrastructure breakdowns and widespread blackouts even in Havana. The episode discusses the goals of U.S. policy and potential outcomes if the regime in Havana changes.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 12:00 AM UTC

A U.S. State Department report released on July 21, 2026, accuses Cuba of infiltrating the highest levels of the U.S. government, recruiting American activists, and supporting left-wing terrorism on American soil. The report, titled 'Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism,' comes amid President Donald Trump's renewed hardline stance against Cuba, including an effective oil embargo and sanctions. Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez dismissed the allegations as a 'fallacy' and a pretext for economic war. The report marks an escalation in US-Cuba tensions, with Trump signaling potential military action against the island. Historical context includes past espionage cases like the 'Cuban Five' and Ana Montes, as well as CIA attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:20 PM UTC

The U.S. State Department released a 100-page report alleging that Cuba has been involved in influencing a range of protests in the United States, including the 2020 demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd. The report claims that since the 1960s, the Cuban regime has served as a central hub for a distinct type of foreign influence operations targeting American social movements. The document outlines historical and contemporary efforts by Cuba to exploit U.S. domestic unrest, though specific evidence and methodologies were not detailed in the provided excerpt. The report marks an escalation in U.S. accusations against Cuba's role in American internal affairs.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:48 AM UTC

The Trump administration released a report titled 'Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism,' accusing Cuba of building a revolutionary network that influenced US extremist movements, including Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Socialists of America. The report comes as President Trump has repeatedly suggested a US takeover of Cuba, following the US military operation in Venezuela. The US has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, causing repeated power grid collapses. Critics, including University of Miami professor Michael Bustamante, called the report's assertions highly questionable and selective. Trump warned that 'a lot of things are going to happen in Cuba over the next several months,' though he said he doesn't see it being like Venezuela due to Cuba's lack of natural resources.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 07:31 PM UTC

The U.S. State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, published a report titled 'Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism' that singles out prominent left-wing figures and organizations as 'front groups and fellow travelers' for the Cuban government. The report names political commentator Hasan Piker, Amazon union leader Christian Smalls, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and environmental activist Isra Hirsi, daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar, for allegedly supporting Cuba. The report claims a network of Cuba-backed nonprofits and travel agencies coordinates Western leftist activists' visits to the island. The article frames this as part of a broader administration attack on 'far-left political terrorism' and an attempt to engineer regime change in Cuba, noting the U.S. has escalated its economic embargo into a crippling oil blockade. The piece also draws parallels to the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and questions whether Cuba faces a similar fate. Additionally, the article reports on Pentagon cuts to civilian harm mitigation staff, replaced by AI systems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:34 PM UTC

The U.S. State Department published a report titled 'Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism' that accuses left-wing American activists and organizations of acting as front groups for the Cuban government. The report specifically names political commentator Hasan Piker, Amazon union leader Christian Smalls, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and environmental activist Isra Hirsi, daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar. It alleges that their visits to Cuba are coordinated by a network of Cuba-backed entities. The article frames this as part of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's broader campaign against 'far-left political terrorism' and efforts to escalate the decades-long embargo into a crippling oil blockade. The piece also draws parallels to the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, questioning whether Cuba faces a similar fate. Additionally, the article reports on Pentagon cuts to civilian harm mitigation staff under Secretary Pete Hegseth, replaced by AI systems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:34 PM UTC

The New Republic reports that the U.S. State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, published a report titled 'Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism' that singles out left-wing activists and organizations as 'front groups and fellow travelers' for the Cuban government. The report names political commentator Hasan Piker, Amazon union leader Christian Smalls, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and environmental activist Isra Hirsi, daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar. It alleges that a network of Cuba-backed nonprofits and travel agencies coordinates visits by Western leftists to the island. The article frames this as part of a broader administration attack on 'far-left political terrorism' and an attempt to engineer regime change in Cuba, noting that Rubio has escalated the economic embargo into a de facto oil blockade. The piece also draws parallels to the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, questioning whether Cuba faces a similar fate and whether the White House will brand domestic left-wing opponents as terrorists.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:34 PM UTC

On July 13, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a sweeping campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC), characterizing it as a threat to American sovereignty. Measures include expanded sanctions, visa revocations, and diplomatic pressure on states parties. This analysis argues the campaign is premised on a misunderstanding of how the ICC works. It notes that no investigations of US personnel are pending, and that Article 15 communications from civil society do not automatically open investigations. The article suggests the campaign was triggered by recent efforts to urge the ICC to investigate US conduct in the Caribbean and to persuade Iran and Cuba to ratify the Rome Statute. The author acknowledges genuine bipartisan unease about the Court's trajectory but contends the administration's response is based on a misapprehension of ICC procedures.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 12:50 PM UTC

On July 13, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a sweeping campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing threats to U.S. sovereignty. The campaign includes expanded sanctions, visa revocations, diplomatic pressure on states to withdraw from the Rome Statute, and scrutiny of nations receiving U.S. security assistance. The article argues this campaign is premised on a misunderstanding of how the ICC works. It notes that no investigations of U.S. personnel are pending, and that Article 15 communications from civil society do not automatically open investigations. The article suggests the campaign may have been triggered by recent efforts to urge the ICC to investigate U.S. conduct in the Caribbean and to persuade Iran and Cuba to ratify the Rome Statute. The author, a supporter of the Court, acknowledges genuine bipartisan unease about the ICC's trajectory.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 12:50 PM UTC

Nicholas Thompson's newsletter covers multiple stories: the persecution of Cuban independent journalist Abraham Jiménez Enoa, who fled to Spain after being harassed for reporting reality; Anne Neuberger's account of her parents' rescue from Ugandan terrorists on July 4, 1976, and her family's history of surviving the Holocaust and communism; a story about a couple refusing medical treatment for their newborn due to religious beliefs; an investigation into a hiker allegedly leaving his girlfriend to die on a mountain; and a revisit to David Grann's story about building a third water tunnel under New York City. The piece ties these narratives together with themes of freedom, truth, and resilience.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 12:00 AM UTC

Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, a prominent Cuban dissident artist and prisoner of conscience designated by Amnesty International, arrived in Miami on July 18, 2026, after serving a five-year prison sentence. He was convicted in 2022 for insulting national symbols, contempt, and disturbing public order. Otero Alcantara, leader of the San Isidro protest movement, was detained in July 2021 during mass protests. Upon arrival, he stated he would continue working for a free Cuba. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed his release and called on Cuba to free over 700 political prisoners. Otero Alcantara was awarded the Norwegian Rafto Prize for Human Rights in 2024. His release came amid heightened U.S.-Cuba tensions under President Donald Trump, and he was reportedly barred from returning to Cuba.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 05:20 PM UTC

A commentary article analyzes National Security Presidential Memorandum NSPM-7, issued on September 25, 2025, which authorizes preemptive law enforcement measures against Americans based on political or ideological beliefs. The directive has become the legal basis for a wave of terrorism prosecutions targeting left-wing protesters, with the Justice Department creating task forces and the FBI establishing an NSPM-7 mission center. On July 16, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a summit with over 65 countries, informally called the 'Antifa summit,' to launch a global offensive against 'radical left terrorism.' Critics raise concerns about executive power and civil liberties, as the memorandum was not passed by Congress and allows limited oversight.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:37 PM UTC

This commentary analyzes National Security Presidential Memorandum NSPM-7, issued by President Trump on September 25, 2025, which has become the legal basis for a wave of terrorism prosecutions targeting left-wing activists in the United States. The directive authorizes preemptive law enforcement measures based on ideological beliefs rather than planned violence. The Justice Department has created counterterrorism task forces, the FBI established an NSPM-7 mission center, and the IRS is involved in investigating nonprofit groups. The domestic campaign gained an international dimension on July 16, 2026, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted an 'Antifa summit' with representatives from over 65 countries, accusing Iran and Cuba of financing the movement without providing evidence. Critics raise concerns about executive power and civil liberties, as the memorandum was not passed by Congress and allows limited oversight.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:37 PM UTC

This commentary analyzes National Security Presidential Memorandum NSPM-7, issued by President Trump on September 25, 2025, which authorizes preemptive law enforcement measures against Americans based on political or ideological beliefs rather than planned violence. The directive has become the legal foundation for a wave of terrorism prosecutions targeting left-wing protesters, with the Justice Department creating task forces and the FBI establishing an NSPM-7 mission center. The domestic campaign gained an international dimension on July 16, 2026, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted an 'Antifa summit' with representatives from over 65 countries, accusing Iran and Cuba of bankrolling the movement without providing evidence. Critics raise concerns about executive power and civil liberties, as the memorandum was not passed by Congress and allows the president to direct law enforcement with minimal oversight.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:37 PM UTC

Cuban government-critical artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, 38, has arrived in the United States after serving a five-year prison sentence in Cuba. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed his arrival in Miami on July 18, 2026, and called for the immediate release of over 700 political prisoners in Cuba. Otero Alcántara, a leader of the San Isidro artist collective, was arrested on July 11, 2021, while attempting to join anti-government protests. He was convicted for insulting national symbols and disturbing public order. His release was conditional on permanently leaving Cuba. From Miami, he plans to continue making art and developing visions for Cuba's freedom, while noting that hundreds of political prisoners remain in his homeland.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 08:08 AM UTC

Cuba is facing a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, marked by nationwide blackouts, water shortages, a collapsed healthcare system, and soaring child mortality. The average monthly wage is under $20, and an estimated fifth of the population has left since 2021. The article identifies two main causes: decades of mismanagement by Cuba's communist government and intensified US economic warfare. The immediate trigger is a US oil blockade that began in January 2026, the largest since the Cuban Missile Crisis. This followed the US seizure of Venezuela's government in January, which cut off Cuba's main oil supply. The Trump administration, citing Cuba's alliances with Russia and China and calling it a national security threat, appears to be seeking regime change by the end of 2026. Cuba has responded with a package of 176 free-market reforms, but a political settlement faces major obstacles, including a US law barring recognition of any government including Raúl Castro.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:25 AM UTC

Cuba is facing a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, with nationwide blackouts, water shortages, food scarcity, and a collapse in tourism. The average monthly wage is under US$20, and child mortality has risen sharply. The main cause of the current trouble is a US oil blockade that began in January 2026, the largest such action since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Trump administration designated Cuba a national security threat, citing alliances with Russia and China. Venezuela, Cuba's main oil supplier, cut off shipments after the US seized President Maduro. The US is reportedly seeking regime change by the end of 2026. Cuba has announced 176 free-market reforms to placate the US, but a political settlement faces obstacles, including a US law barring recognition of any Cuban government including Raúl Castro.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:25 AM UTC

Cuba is experiencing a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, marked by nationwide blackouts, water shortages, food scarcity, and a collapse in tourism. The average monthly wage is under $20, and an estimated fifth of the population has left since 2021. The article identifies two main causes: decades of mismanagement by Cuba's communist government and intensified US economic warfare. The immediate trigger is a US oil blockade that began in January 2026, the largest since the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was compounded by the US seizure of Venezuela's Maduro government, which cut off 75% of Cuba's oil supply, and Mexico's similar action under tariff threats. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking regime change by the end of 2026, though talks are ongoing. Cuba announced 176 free-market reforms in June to placate the US, but a deal is complicated by a 1996 US law barring recognition of any government including Raúl Castro.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:25 AM UTC

Cuban Ambassador to India Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera called for the lifting of the U.S. energy blockade, stating that restrictions on oil trade have crippled the Cuban economy and constitute a 'collective punishment' against the population. In a written response to The Hindu, he detailed a humanitarian crisis marked by frequent blackouts, over 100,000 postponed critical surgeries (including 11,000 children), a rise in infant mortality from 4.0 to 9.9 per 1,000 live births, and a decline in childhood cancer survival rates from 85% to 65%. The ambassador's remarks come after President Donald Trump re-designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2025 and imposed an oil blockade on January 29, 2026, which was further tightened on May 1, 2026. He argued that no country has the right to impose unilateral energy blockades.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 05:01 PM UTC

The Trump administration's global campaign against what it calls 'radical left terrorism' is legally anchored in National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7), issued in September 2025. The memo authorizes preemptive law enforcement measures against Americans based on political or ideological beliefs, not imminent violence. On July 16, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a ministerial with representatives from over 65 countries, informally called the 'Antifa summit,' declaring an 'unprecedented global offensive.' The Justice Department has built counterterrorism task forces, the FBI established an NSPM-7 mission center, and activists have been convicted and sentenced to decades in prison. The memo was not passed by Congress and allows the president to direct agencies with little oversight. Critics note the administration accused Iran and Cuba of funding left-wing movements without providing evidence.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 05:37 PM UTC

The Trump administration's global campaign against 'radical left terrorism' is legally anchored in National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7), issued September 2025. This memo marks a major shift in U.S. counterterrorism policy, authorizing preemptive law enforcement measures against Americans based on political or ideological beliefs rather than planned violence. On July 16, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a ministerial with representatives from over 65 countries, informally called the 'Antifa summit,' declaring an 'unprecedented global offensive.' Rubio accused Iran and Cuba of bankrolling left-wing movements without providing evidence. The Justice Department has built counterterrorism task forces, the FBI established an NSPM-7 mission center, and activists have been convicted and sentenced to decades in prison. The memo was not passed by Congress and allows the president to direct agencies with little oversight.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 05:37 PM UTC

Spanish researcher Jesus Ortea named a newly discovered red sea slug (Aldisa vozinhai) after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, honoring his standout performance in a 0-0 draw against Spain at the 2022 World Cup. The 40-year-old became the oldest World Cup debutant, made seven saves, and saw his Instagram following surge to over 28 million. The slug was found near Havana, Cuba, and Guadeloupe. Ortea previously named a species after Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

6 reports · 4 sources · Updated Jul 11, 04:53 PM UTC

In a live blog update on US politics under President Donald Trump's second term, several key developments are reported. President Trump stated he does not expect the release of imprisoned Hong Kong publisher and democracy activist Jimmy Lai, despite previous campaign promises and diplomatic efforts. Trump cited negative responses from Chinese authorities regarding his appeals based on Lai's age and health. Lai, sentenced to 20 years in prison in February 2026, remains a symbolic figure for the democracy movement. Domestically, the US Supreme Court rejected a Democratic attempt to redraw electoral districts in Virginia for the upcoming midterm elections, a decision that preserves the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. The court upheld a lower ruling that the referendum question was misleading and procedurally invalid. Additionally, the US Department of Justice announced an impending indictment against former Cuban leader Fidel Castro for a 1996 incident involving the shooting down of exile group planes. This move coincides with tightened US sanctions against Cuba, aiming to pressure the Havana government amid severe economic struggles on the island.

1 reports · 1 sources

In a landmark event marking Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast, Robelis Despaigne defeated former UFC champion Junior dos Santos via first-round knockout at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout, part of MVP MMA’s inaugural card headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, saw Despaigne dominate with striking power, ending the fight at 2:59 of the first round. This victory revitalizes Despaigne’s career, prompting him to challenge Francis Ngannou, while the loss may signal the end for the veteran dos Santos. The event highlights a significant shift in combat sports media rights.

12 reports · 2 sources · Updated May 17, 02:34 AM UTC